Drug interactions
Clomipramine + Ephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Clomipramine and Ephedrine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Clomipramine can change the pressor response to ephedrine, and the combination may cause hypertension, tachycardia or arrhythmias. Ephedrine's indirect action depends on neuronal uptake, which the tricyclic blocks, so the response is unpredictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clomipramine and Ephedrine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Clomipramine belongs to Central Nervous System; Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Tricyclic blockade of noradrenaline reuptake and of uptake of indirect sympathomimetics into adrenergic neurons.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate and titrate ephedrine cautiously. Prefer a direct-acting vasopressor in hypotension if the response is inadequate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Clomipramine
- Arsenic trioxide + Clomipramine Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clomipramine with Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clomipramine and Ephedrine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Clomipramine can change the pressor response to ephedrine, and the combination may cause hypertension, tachycardia or arrhythmias. Ephedrine's indirect action depends on neuronal uptake, which the tricyclic blocks, so the response is unpredictable.
How serious is the interaction between Clomipramine and Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate and titrate ephedrine cautiously. Prefer a direct-acting vasopressor in hypotension if the response is inadequate.
What other medicines interact with Clomipramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clomipramine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Droperidol. The full list is on the Clomipramine page.
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